Multi-track Equipment

The machines we have so far considered are suitable for cutting any type of 16 mm production. They meet the basic requirements of being able to run one reel of sound and one of picture in synchronism or independently at a variety of controlled speeds. In well equipped cutting rooms you may find machines which will run more than one picture or more than one track. Multi-plate machines will enable you to do the same jobs as the equipment we have already discussed and a number of additional tasks simultaneously, thus reducing the overall editing time.

If you have to cut a straightforward 16 mm film with some synchronised dialogue or a voice-over commentary, you will find that an editing machine designed to run one reel of picture and one separate magnetic track will enable you to do the job perfectly satisfactorily. When you have cut the picture and one track, you can either re-lace the editing machine with another track and match it to the edited picture or use a synchroniser to augment the track you have cut. If you are working on a more complex programme you may prefer to use an editing machine which will run one reel of picture with two or more soundtracks. There are also machines which will project two pictures (side by side) and three tracks. Multi-plate machines are not essential, but they are useful for some types of work because they make it possible to do a number of different jobs simultaneously. On a six-plate Steenbeck, for example, you can cut one reel of picture and two separate soundtracks. Other manufacturers make multi- plate models too. Kem and Prevost machines are to be found in many cutting rooms. If you are cutting a film or a golf tournament or a pop concert or some other event which has been simultaneously filmed by a number of cameras, a multi-plate editing machine will make the job easier and save time, but for most purposes one reel of picture and one soundtrack will probably suffice.

MULTI-TRACK EQUIPMENT

1. Steenbeck. General view of six-plate single-picture two-track machine

2. Prevost. Eight-plate two-picture two-track machine
Picture 1 (A) and picture 2 (C) run via projection heads (B and D). Soundtracks (E and F) run via soundheads (G and H).